Two women offer food to a seaman

The North Platte Canteen

Between 1941 and 1945, an estimated forty-three million soldiers and sailors traveled on 115,000 troop trains across the United States, many stopping for refreshments at the North Platte Canteen. Founded by North Platte, Nebraska resident Rae Wilson, run by a board of North Platte women, and supported by volunteers in 136 Nebraska communities, the Canteen provided a memorable experience to solders headed to World War II battles in Europe and the Pacific.

To learn more, please visit the North Platte Canteen StoryMap.